Considering Nonhormonal Birth Control A Breakdown Of Your Best Options
It’s no secret that shifting hormone levels can affect everything from your mood to your menstrual cycle. And if you’re a smoker or have high blood pressure, hormonal forms of birth control can increase your risk of stroke. Add it all together and for many women, the choice of contraceptive hinges on whether they want hormonal or nonhormonal birth control.
“We often use hormonal forms of birth control to manage premenstrual syndrome, cramps and heavy bleeding,” says Katelyn Hartung, D.O., an obstetrician and gynecologist at Henry Ford Health. “The women who are seeking nonhormonal forms of birth control generally don’t have a lot of complaints about their periods and they don’t want to disrupt their natural hormone levels.”
How Effective Are The Different Methods
The list below shows how effective each of the 15 different methods are, and how often you need to use them or think about them .
The effectiveness of each method is worked out by calculating how many women get pregnant if 100 women use the method for a year.
For example, if a particular contraceptive method is 99% effective, 1 woman out of every 100 who uses it will get pregnant in a year.
Some methods listed below, such as the pill, include the phrase “if used correctly”.
This is because people who use these methods have to use them every time they have sex, or remember to take or apply them every day, week or month.
If the method is not used correctly, it will not be as effective.
Contraceptives that are more than 99% effective:
Contraceptives that are 99% effective if used according to teaching instructions:
- symptothermal method of natural family planning
Contraceptives that are 98% effective if used correctly:
Contraceptives that are 95% effective if used correctly:
Contraceptives that are 92 to 96% effective if used correctly:
- diaphragm or cap with spermicide
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Whats The Difference Between Hormonal And Non
Before discussing these non-hormonal options, it firstly pays to know a little bit about how each contraceptive method works.
Hormonal birth control options work by introducing hormones to the body. Specifically, hormonal contraceptives commonly use both synthetic estrogen and progesterone . Both of these hormones are key players in managing the menstrual cycle.
Introducing these synthetic hormones to the body helps put the menstrual cycle to sleep, so to speak. Most options work by inhibiting the release of eggs . No eggs means no fertilization can occur. In other words, no pregnancy.
Common hormonal contraceptive options include:
- Natural family planning
Condoms
Condoms are perhaps the single-most popular non-hormonal birth control method. Theyre great not only because they help prevent pregnancy, but also because they help protect against sexually transmitted infections, or STIs .
Barrier forms of birth control will not always prevent pregnancy and STIs. Instead, they merely reduce this risk.
Spermicides
Diaphragms And Cervical Caps
A diaphragm is essentially a shallow, bendable cup that sits in your cervix, kind of like a menstrual cup. Diaphragms arent condoms, so they dont prevent STIs, but when used correctly, they do prevent sperm from reaching an egg. Cervical caps work in a similar fashion.
Pros: At 88 percent, diaphragms are more effective than condoms.
Cons: According to Planned Parenthood, for greatest protection, diaphragms should be used with a spermicide more on this below.
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What Happens After Birth Control
When you stop introducing the synthetic hormones your body doesnt immediately pick up the slack and start producing its own again. This is especially true if it wasnt producing the right amounts BEFORE you started birth control.
Your brain and your ovaries need to restore the communication that was interrupted by the synthetic hormones. It can take time for them to get back in sync. This usually results in an imbalance of progesterone and estrogen in a phenomenon called Post Birth Control Syndrome.
Enhancing Healthcare Team Outcomes
Oral contraceptive pills provide patients with the option to prevent pregnancy. If the patient has medical conditions that put them at increased risk for taking combined OC or progestin OC, the prescriber should inform patients of many alternatives to prevent pregnancy. OC’s are a choice made by the patient and her clinician after adequate counseling of risks and benefits. There are significant non-contraceptive uses of hormonal contraceptives, and these should be considered when counseling the patient about her options. Many OC formulations can provide menstrual regularity, treating both menorrhagia and dysmenorrhea. They can even be utilized to induce amenorrhea for lifestyle considerations.
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What Is The Minipill
The minipill is a type of oral contraceptive that contains pills that only have progestin.
None of the pills in the pack have any estrogen. The dose of progestin varies and is dependent on the formulation used in the birth control pill.
A minipill package consists of 28 pills, all of which contain the hormone progestin. It doesnt contain any placebo pills.
To maximize the minipills effectiveness, youll need to take the pill at the same time every day.
If you miss a dose even by as little as 3 hours youll need to use a backup method of birth control for at least 2 days to be on the safe side.
Theres a new FDA-approved progestin-only pill called Slynd. It can be taken within a 24-hour period and still not be considered a missed dose, unlike the current progestin-only pill.
Because this pill is so new, there may currently be limited information and access. To learn more about Slynd, talk to your doctor.
Hormonal Vs Non Hormonal Birth Control: Whats The Difference
In the United States, an estimated 99% of women aged 15 to 44 use at least one form of contraception during their lifetime. That could be one of many hormonal or non hormonal birth control options, so how do you choose? It helps to know the difference between the two. While non hormonal contraceptives contain you guessed it! no hormones, hormonal contraception can be made up of either a combination of estrogen and progestin or just progestin.
One further difference is that hormonal contraceptives tend to come with warnings about an increased risk of serious medical issues, whereas non hormonal birth control methods dont. The health conditions associated with hormonal contraceptives can include cancers such as breast or uterine cancers, heart disease, liver disease, blood clots in legs or lungs, or strokes, says Dr. Arumala.
Of course, all this sounds very scary. But its important to remember that if you are on hormonal contraception, the chances of developing these conditions are still relatively low, and the benefit of preventing pregnancy generally outweighs any risk.
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Birth Control Pills Without Estrogen
Currently, there are no hormone free birth control pills. Scientists are working on developing these for both men and women, but none of them are now approved for use. However, for those who prefer to avoid estrogen, there are birth control pills that use only progesterone and not estrogen. This is known as the mini pill. Progesterone acts to thicken the cervical mucus so that sperm cant enter. It also thins the lining of the uterus, so that it cant support a pregnancy. In addition, progesterone partially suppresses the release of eggs from the ovaries.
The mini pill needs to be taken every day at approximately the same time in order to be effective. This can be difficult for many women to achieve. The mini pill is also less effective at preventing pregnancy than the combination birth control pill .
Should I Use A Fertility Awareness
Life stages or events that cause your periods to be unpredictable can make FABMs less effective in preventing pregnancy . You may want to consider other types of birth control, if any of the following applies to you :
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You recently started having periods
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You are close to menopause
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You have just ended hormonal birth control
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You have recently birthed
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Your periods are unpredictable
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Have a high risk of getting an STI
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You are not able to avoid sex or use a barrier method during days with high risk of becoming pregnant
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Your partner is not willing to participate in the FABM
If becoming pregnant would be dangerous to your health or be very damaging to your life, a more reliable form of birth control may be a better option.
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Find The Best Birth Control For You
Thanks for checking out our list of types of birth control without estrogen! Weve only touched on some of the methods available and how they work, so if youre serious about switching birth control, its always worth discussing your options in full with your doctor. In the meantime, why not find out if Natural Cycles could be an option for you?
Nonhormonal Birth Control: The Basics
Whether you’re searching for nonhormonal methods of birth control for medical reasons, or because you don’t want to muck with your body’s natural hormones, there are many nonhormonal birth control options that can safely and effectively prevent pregnancy.
Of course, steering clear of sex altogether is the most effective form of birth control. But abstinence isn’t the only nonhormonal option for birth control. Each method of contraception comes with advantages, disadvantages and varying degrees of effectiveness.
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Being Informed May Help A Woman Choose The Right Birth Control For Her
Nearly half of all pregnancies every year in the United States are not planned, yet around one-third of women who could become pregnant dont use contraception. Why might a woman who doesnt want to become pregnant not use birth control? Reasons vary but may include lack of access or knowledge, infrequent sex or concerns about how their health will be affected.
When it comes to helping women decide to use birth control, information often plays an important role. One large study found that teenage girls who had thorough sex education before becoming sexually active were more likely to use some type of birth control when they had sex.
Understanding the differences between hormonal and non-hormonal birth control can help you make the best choice for your body and your lifestyle.
What Are The Benefits Of Nonhormonal Birth Control
Nonhormonal birth control can have fewer side effects than hormonal birth control. This may be an advantage to people with some health conditions or other sensitivities. Its safe for people who smoke, too.
Individual types of nonhormonal birth control have certain advantages, as well.
Condoms, for example, are the only contraception that can protect against STIs and theyre available over-the-counter at many stores. Copper IUDs can prevent against pregnancy for a decade. And birth control gel can be used discreetly in the moment, without active participation from a partner.
However, keep in mind that certain nonhormonal birth control methods can come with their own risks and side effects. For example, spermicide could increase the risk of a urinary tract infection , while a copper IUD can cause irregular and heavy bleeding. You may wish to discuss these risks with a doctor.
Ultimately, the benefits and risks of nonhormonal birth control depend on exactly what youre looking for and which type you choose to use.
Theres no birth control that is healthier than all others. The right birth control for you and your health will vary based on your:
If you have a blood clotting condition or youre a smoker, the healthiest birth control for you could be a nonhormonal one.
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What If You Cannot Use Hormonal Contraceptives
Some contraceptives work by using hormones that are similar to the hormones women produce naturally. These hormones are oestrogen and progestogen.
Contraceptives that contain these hormones aren’t suitable for some women, such as those who have medical conditions like breast cancer.
Not all contraceptive methods use hormones. Some work in other ways, including:
Eat Healthy Fats Instead Of Carbs
The first step to balancing your hormones is often overlooked but probably one of the most important. It has to do with nourishing your body. Your body needs various types of fats to create hormones. These fats are the building blocks of hormones, lower inflammation, and boost your metabolism.
In fact, healthy fats have the opposite effect of refined carbohydrates. A few examples of foods that contain healthy fats include coconut oil, avocadoes, grass-fed butter, and wild-caught salmon.
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The Benefits And Possible Side Effects Of Non Hormonal Birth Control
Naturally, there are some benefits in switching. While hormonal contraceptives dont always come with more side effects , some people feel that they reduce their chances of unpleasant side effects by coming off hormonal birth control.
Its important to remember that not everyone who takes hormonal contraception will notice any side effects. The impact birth control can have on an individual is just as unique as the person themselves. But weve all heard stories about incompatible hormonal birth control, so what are some of the most common offending symptoms?
- Irregular periods
When deciding whether to try non hormonal birth control, its important to be aware of disadvantages that could come with it, too. Some methods may require proper planning , and others require discipline . Thats why its super important to find what works for you, which were here to help with!
There Is No Best Birth Control
Verma says that healthcare providers have changed the way they talk to their patients about choosing birth control. âWhen the long-acting reversible contraceptive methods came out, there was a lot of excitement about them and a lot of pushing of these methods,â she said.
But these days, Verma and her colleagues have largely shifted their approach toward talking to women about all their birth control options , and then helping them decide which one best fits their lifestyle.
What works for some might not work for others, Verma said. âNo one can tell you whatâs doable for you.â
This resource was created with support from Evofem Biosciences.
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Not All Fabms Are Equally Effective
Methods like the Rhythm method or Standard Days method assume that the menstrual period always follows a certain number of days and ovulation happens on the same day of each cycle . A person trying to avoid pregnancy is instructed to avoid sex or use another birth control method on the days around their ovulation . These methods work best for people with cycles that are predictable and last 26-32 days .
Not all people with periods have 28-day cycles and ovulation may not happen on day 14 each month . Cycles vary for a number of reasons . If a method does not account for the uniqueness of a personâs cycle, predicting ovulation can be less accurate, which makes the chance of pregnancy more likely. Making a method a routine and always using it correctly may take time. Getting experience through practice or training may help .
Birth Control Sponge Effectiveness
Of 100 women who have never had a baby and who use the sponge in a typical year, about 14 will get pregnant. This means it is 86% effective.
By comparison, male condoms are 87% effective, and birth control pills are 93% effective.
Does the sponge protect against sexually transmitted diseases?
No. The male condom is the best way to protect against STDs such as HIV.
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Postscript: Its Plan B Not Plan A
In the case of an emergency, its nice to have back up. No method is failsafe. Condoms occasionally break, you may forget to take your pill one morning, or you find youve miscounted your ovulation cycle in instances like these, you have one more option.
You may have heard of emergency contraception before commonly known as the morning-after pill or PlanB which is a dose of hormones that can be taken up to 5 days after unprotected sex. What most people dont know is that there is also a non-hormonal emergency contraceptive option. The ParaGard copper-t IUD can be inserted into the uterus 5 days or 120 hours after unprotected sex. This method of emergency contraception may be on the expensive side, but it can be up to 99.9% effective.
Your questions, thoughts, or sharing of your own experiences are always welcome in comments.
Best in health, Whole9
What Are The Benefits Of Phexxi
Like spermicide, Phexxi is non-hormonal birth control. So if you prefer non-hormonal birth control, or cant use methods with hormones because of medical problems, Phexxi may be a good option for you.
Unlike spermicide, Phexxi doesnt have nonoxynol-9 in it. So Phexxi doesnt increase your risk of STDs like spermicide can.
You only need to use Phexxi when you have sex. So you dont need to worry about using birth control or dealing with side effects when youre not having sex.
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